Ray Parks is asking fans to calm down regarding his decision to play in the MPBL. Jaime Campos

BOBBY Ray Parks said playing in the PBA remains his ultimate goal as he responded to critics about his decision to play in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Following a memorable campaign with San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League (ABL), Parks signed up for the Mandaluyong El Tigres in the MPBL, which will open its next conference on June 12.

Parks’ decision to suit up for the El Tigres was met with negative reactions from netizens who felt he should choose to go the PBA instead of playing in the MPBL.

Parks somewhat explained his decision to play in the MPBL on Twitter on Friday night, while also hinting that he could also enter the PBA draft this year.

Parks said he definitely wants to play in the PBA someday, but that isn’t possible this season since the draft will occur sometime around November or December.

Parks’ stint in the MPBL, however, remains in doubt owing to a controversial rule where each team is allowed to play only one Fil-American no taller than 6-4.

Parks has criticized the rule, saying it was the first time he was considered an American in the Philippines despite holding a Philippine passport and having represented the country in international competitions.

Amid the controversy, a number of fans have questioned Parks' decision to play in the MPBL, saying he should take his act instead to the PBA.

Mandaluyong has Parks and Alab teammate Lawrence Domingo in its roster but MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said the El Tigres will have to choose between the two on who will play since they are both considered Fil-Ams.

MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes left the door open for changes to the league's controversial rule on Fil-foreigners - but only in the future. Jerome Ascano

DAVAO – He’s a PBA legend who’s taking part in the PBA All-Star three-point shootout with a government official, but Kenneth Durmedes is also the commissioner of the fledgling Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) that has drawn flak for its controversial cap on Filipino-foreigners.

So there’s no escaping questions about the MPBL’s Fil-foreign player policy while he’s in a PBA event in the President’s hometown.

“Ang bottomline here is yung guidelines ng MPBL stays,” Duremdes insisted on Tuesday on the eve of the first leg of the All-Star week in Digos City, south of Davao. “Kung may naaapektuhang mga players, we’re very sorry.”

“But in every league or tournament, may kanya-kanya naman talagang guildelines and rules, so yun yung ginawa ni MPBL,” he added of the rule that limits each team to just one Fil-foreign player who stands no taller than 6-4. “Sinusunod lang din namin."

The rule implementation came on the heels of the Mandaluyong El Tigre's move to tap the services of Ray Parks Jr. and Lawrence Domingo, whose fathers are both American, with the MPBL requiring the team to choose between the two.

Duremdes, however, left the door open for changes to the controversial rule.

“I’m beyond excited to be playing in front of my fellow Cebuanos, friends and of course, my family,” says Patrick Cabahug. Jerome Ascano

CEBUANO wingman Patrick Jan Cabahug will finally get his chance to play for his hometown after signing up for the Casino Ethyl Alcohol-Cebu Sharks in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Cabahug, who briefly played for Air21 in the PBA before embarking on a nomadic basketball career that saw him play in various leagues around Southeast Asia, had initially agreed to play for the Zamboanga Valientes.

However, when Cebu came calling, Cabahug simply could not refuse.

“It’s a dream come true to finally represent my hometown. I left Cebu at the age of 16 to play for Adamson. Since then I’ve never had a chance to play for Cebu,” shared the 6-foot-1 perimeter deadshot who is currently playing in Thailand and will only be available to the Sharks at the end of June.

“I’m beyond excited to be playing in front of my fellow Cebuanos, friends and of course, my family,” he added.

Cabahug also expressed his gratitude to the management of Zamboanga, which graciously agreed to free him from his commitment to the Valientes for the chance to go back home.

“I just want to say thanks to the Zamboanga team for the opportunity. When I received the offer to play for the Cebu team, its like a sign, like this is it, I’m finally going to be able to play for Cebu. So I formally talked to Boss Junnie Navarro about it. I told him and am really thankful he understood my side,” said Cabahug.

Mandaluyong will have a powerhouse cast led by Ray Parks, Jr., Prince Rivero, and Thomas Torres in its MPBL debut against Muntinlupa on June 12.

EXPANSION teams Mandaluyong and Marikina show their wares when the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) opens its second season on June 12 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Known as the El Tigre, Mandaluyong will have Ray Parks teaming up with Alab Pilipinas teammate JP Alabanza and former La Salle stalwarts Prince Rivero and Thomas Torres when it takes on Muntinlipa in the 9:30 p.m. main game.

Marikina, to be led by actor Gerarld Anderson, takes on another expansion side in General Santos City in the 7:30 p.m. opener.

Touted as the potential top overall pick in next season's PBA Rookie Draft, Parks will also have ex-pros Mac Andaya and Jeff Javillonar as teammates in the 26-team regional league divided into the North and the South Divisions.

A total of 13 teams will comprise each group, where a team will play a total of 25 games in the elimination round. The top eight teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

The division semifinals and finals will also be best-of-three affairs before the champions of both divisions will face off in the best-of-five national championship.

Joseph Yeo works to get back in shape for the Manila Stars. Christian Jacinto

JOSEPH Yeo has come out of a self-imposed six-month basketball hiatus when he makes his debut in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as one of the cornerstones of expansion team Manila Stars.

The 11-year PBA veteran put basketball aside over the past six-months to focus on his personal life and spend more time with his family after a forgettable season with Meralco last year.

Ex-Ginebra player John Wilson vows to bring NSD attitude to San Juan Knights in MPBLFrom: Christian Jacinto May 30, 2018, 02:14 pm

John Wilson is glad to find a new home right after getting released by Ginebra.

JOHN Wilson is eager to bring the things he learned from coach Tim Cone and Ginebra to the San Juan Knights as he moves to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

The 31-year old marksman is expected to be a cornerstone of the team that is returning to action after 17 long years - or since its glory years in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA).

“Wala akong masasabing masama. It’s a great experience with Ginebra and coach Tim. Marami akong natutunan,” said Wilson, who was released by Ginebra at the end of April.

The former NCAA MVP out of Jose Riizal University is excited to be playing for the Knights, who he believes embodies the same attitude as his former team.

His new coach Randy Alcantara and several other former players including Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero and Gherome Ejercito reminds him of San Juan’s glory days when the Knights won the MBA championship in 2000.

The second conference of the MPBL, now with 26 teams, opens on June 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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